Kathryn Ruth Grater

Kathryn was born on September 12, 1930, to Eva Caroline Hoffman and Charles Edgar Waddle in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. She attended Blairsville High School and soon met her future husband, Blair John Grater, in Blairsville. They were married on December 11, 1948, and were together for 74 years.

As a young woman, Kathryn worked as a waitress, starting at Dean's Diner in Blairsville and then in later years serving guests at the Fox Hill Golf and Banquet Center, Plymouth, Michigan.

In 1978, Blair built the family home on a canal leading into one of Michigan's many lakes. Kathryn loved that house, homemaking, gardening, and traveling. She was well-known as the best baker in the family, her one-crust pies a favorite at many church gatherings. Because Blair was an employee of American Airlines, economical airfare to faraway places was a company perk. They were able to travel to all 50 states and 24 foreign countries. Some of those U.S. trips were on a BMW motorcycle, which Blair guided while she hung on for dear life!

By 1992, they invested in a 38' travel trailer and became "Winter Texans," making the trip between Michigan and Brownsville, Texas, each year. Wherever they lived, Pinckney, MI; Corsicana, Brownsville, or Houston, Texas, Kathryn made many friends. She was an avid bowler with a 165 average, bowling in two leagues twice a week, and continued bowling until she turned 88. Recently, while a resident at StoneCreek, she was a frequent winner at the weekly Bingo competition.

Kathryn was pre-deceased by her husband, Blair John Grater; daughter-in-law, Janice Taylor Grater; parents, Charles and Eva Waddle; siblings, Jane Waddle Hull, Richard Waddle, and Charles Waddle, who lost his life during WWII; a granddaughter, Rachael Grater; and one nephew, Charles (Nancy) Waddle.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Alan, of Houston, TX; and four nieces: Melinda (Jerry) Rudabough, Phoenix, AZ; Debra (Joe) Reynolds, Orlando, FL; Terri Ector, Nashville, TN, and Patricia (David) Sapina, Levittown, PA. She also leaves behind one nephew, Randy (Donna) Waddle, of Levittown.

Kathryn's four great-grandchildren will miss her greatly: Mathew (Angelika) Smith and Ryan Smith, and twins Merissa and Meagan Pierce, all of Vancouver, WA. Her four great-great-grandchildren are Chloe, Ella, Laynie, and Aliza Smith, also of Vancouver, WA.

A memorial service in Pinckney, MI, will be announced later by the family.